"No gun?"
Strong nodded. It was a moment of moral danger. He knew that Satan would lay hold of his tongue unless it were guarded with great caution. He sat back and whistled for half a moment.
"S-safe!" he exclaimed, presently, with a sigh, as he went on eating.
"Which way was he travelling?"
"Th-this way—limpin'," said Strong.
"Limping?"
"W-wownded," Strong, added, softly, gently, as if he were still on dangerous ground.
They finished their meal in silence and drew up to the fire and filled their pipes.
He rose and lighted his pipe and returned to the table as soon as he had begun smoking. He took out his worn memorandum-book and thoughtfully wrote these words:
"July the 6